Status Updates as of September 16, 2022:
- On June 16, 2022, the Court issued an Order granting Final Approval of the Settlement.
- As of June 20, 2022, the process to enroll in Financial Shield is now active and will remain open through October 20, 2022. After October 20, 2022, the enrollment process will close, and your Financial Shield code will no longer be active. Please email Info@natwestdatasettlement.com for help locating your 16 digit Financial Shield Activation Code. If you need assistance with the enrollment process or have questions regarding Financial Shield, please call Financial Shield directly at (833) 317-4827.
- Distribution of Settlement Awards to timely, valid claims began on September 15, 2022. If you elected to receive payment through a paper check, please allow 14 days for delivery. If you have any issues, please email info@NatWestDataSettlement.com.
A settlement has been proposed in a class action lawsuit against National Western Life Insurance Company, (“NWL”) relating to a cybersecurity incident in August 2020 by which third-party actors installed ransomware on NWL’s computer systems and potentially accessed personal information residing on those computers (the “Security Incident”). The computer systems affected by the Security Incident potentially contained certain private identifying information (such as Social Security numbers, credit card information, addresses and dates of birth) that had previously been provided to NWL. The Lawsuit is known as Baldwin et al. v. National Western Life Insurance Company, Western District Missouri Case No. 2:21-CV-04066-WJE (the “Lawsuit”)
Settlement Information
The Lawsuit claims that NWL was responsible for the increased risk of fraud and identity theft stemming from the Security Incident and asserts claims such as: negligence; negligence per se; breach of express/implied contractual duty; unjust enrichment; violation of the California Unfair Competition Law; violation of the California Consumer Privacy Act; violation of California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act; and violation of the California Consumer Records Act.
The Lawsuit seeks, among other things, payment for persons who were potentially impacted by the Security Incident. NWL denies all of the claims, as well as all charges of wrongdoing or liability against it.
Who Is a Class Member?
If you are an individual who was notified via letter from NWL that your personal information may have been exposed as a result of the August 2020 Security Incident, you are a part of the class, and may be eligible for a payment and credit monitoring services.
Your Legal Rights and Options
Option and Deadline |
Your Legal Rights |
Submit A Claim Form(deadline passed) |
The only way to get a monetary payment.
Claim Forms must be submitted online, or mailed to the Class Administrator by May 23, 2022. |
Enroll in financial shieldJuly 20, 2022 – October 20, 2022 |
To enroll in Financial Shield, click HERE.
Visit the following website and enter your information: https://app.financialshield.com/information/nwl. You will need the 16-digit activation code printed on the notice mailed to you to enroll. The deadline to enroll is October 20, 2022. After October 20, 2022, the enrollment process will close, and your Financial Shield code will no longer be active. Class Members will receive one year of Financial Shield service from the date of enrollment. |
exclude yourself from the settlement(deadline passed) |
Opt out of the Settlement, get no benefits from it, and retain your claims.
You will not get any payment or Financial Shield services from the Settlement, but you also will not release your claims against NWL. This is the only option that allows you to be part of any other legal lawsuit against NWL or related parties for the legal claims resolved by the Settlement. Opt-Out Forms must be uploaded online or mailed to the Class Administrator and postmarked by April 22, 2022. |
OBJEct to the settlement(deadline passed) |
Tell the Court why you believe the proposed Settlement is unfair, unreasonable, or inadequate.
You may file with the Court a written objection no later than April 22, 2022, and/or appear at the Final Approval Hearing to tell the Court why you believe the proposed Settlement is unfair, unreasonable, or inadequate. |
go to the final fairness hearingJune 16, 2022 |
You may ask the Court for permission for you or your attorney to speak about your objection at the Final Fairness Hearing. |
DO NOTHINGNo deadline |
Stay in the Settlement, await the outcome, give up certain rights.
You will not get payment from this Settlement and you will give up certain legal rights. Submitting a claim form is the only way to obtain payment from this Settlement. |
Dates and Deadlines
Claims Deadline
May 23, 2022
Exclusion Deadline
April 22, 2022
Objection Deadline
April 22, 2022
Fairness Hearing
June 16, 2022